On Friday I bought my first ever Touche Éclat! I know this highlighter has achieved a cult status in the the beauty world for delivering beautiful, complexion enhancing results. After much deliberation I, because there are quite a few shades, I decided to purchase shade 2.

This shade will be more on the highlighting side when I am a bit more tanned, at the moment this shade nearly matches my complexion so I'm not reaping the highlighting benefits however it does serve as a great concealer. I have noticed that my dark circles are less noticeable thanks to its light reflecting formula and it's hydrating so it doesn't dry delicate skin around the eye or sit in creases.

I can see why this highlighter has achieved it's well earned title in the beauty world and why millions of women have fallen in love with it.  I love the pen style packaging, don't be over hasty with clicking the pen or you can find it will dispense way too much product at once.  Overall a fabulous highlighter/concealer and at no more in price than my regular concealer I'm wondering why it's taken me so long to purchase one!

Jodie

xoxo

Eyeko Brow Gel Review

Today I rather excitedly received in the post Eyeko Brow Gel £18 rrp. Over the last few months brows have become my 'thing' and after filling them in I love to use a brow gel to set them and really give them a defined finish.

After one use I can confidently say that I love Eyeko's Brow Gel! It's a tinted eyebrow gel which they say will suite all shades from blonde to brunette however the gel is a dark brown shade with, I don't know if you can pick it out from the photo's, flecks of gold in, I would say more suited for medium to dark brown shades. The 'nano-brush' is small and really aids precision application without clumps or an overload of product on brows.

This eyebrow gel is said to be infused with Keratin and Gingko Bilabo combined with natural proteins and multivitamins to condition, thicken and visibly improve the appearance of brows. Whatever it has in it I definitely prefer it over my current brow gel (Maybelline Brow Drama). It goes on so smoothly, coating each individual hair leaving them plumper yet natural looking. This is definitley a makeup bag staple for me now I have discovered it.

Have you tried Eyeko Brow Gel? What's part of your eyebrow arsenal?

Jodie

xoxo

April's Beauty Favourites

Wow, where did April go? Yet again it was quite difficult to chose, as I have tried some fabulous products this month, so I thought I would go with the ones that I'm reaching for everyday. Here's a quick run-through of my favorite beauty and skincare products from April...

Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation  £29 30ml

I absolutely adore this foundation, it's the first medium to full coverage foundation I have found with a dewy, luminous finish. I chose the shade Sunny Beige after much deliberation, there are hardly any reviews on this foundation online...which shocks me as it's amazing! Here's a link if you want to read my full review on this foundation.

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer  £29 50ml

A fabulous illuminating primer which creates a flawless base for foundation and leaves skin looking healthy and renewed. Here's a link to my full review of this primer, trust me it's fabulous...a make-up bag must have for me now!

Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Hand Cream £10 40ml

 This hand cream literally smells good enough to eat! I first tried this after receiving a sample of it in my March Birchbox and I'm now hooked! It leaves hands moisturized without feeling greasy and lightly fragranced with the scent of rhubarb and rose...divine! Other than the cream itself I love the packaging Molton Brown products come in, cute enough to brighten up any handbag.

Premae Lab Definitive Eye Creme £17.50 30ml

I received a generous sample of this specialist eye creme in my April Premae Donna Box and I can honestly say I've not even looked at my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream since! What I love about this eye creme is that it's lightweight, yet very moisturizing and acts as a fabulous primer for my eye concealer.  I've ordered a full size for my May Premae Donna box...post to follow!

Triumph Creme Balm £49 50ml

Another pick from my April Premae Donna Box is this fabulous anti-aging creme. I've been using this for a little over 3 weeks and my skin is already looking and feeling more renewed. This creme is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, I apply before bed and it makes my skin so soft when I wake. Here's a link to my full review and product description. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato £17

I have a real thing for red lipstick's, they are my go-to lip colour when I can't decide what to wear on my lips. Now we're moving into warmer weather I like to switch up my lipsticks for tinted balms or stains and Clinique's Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato is fabulous for this. Its a sheer tinted balm which can be built up to a medium intensity. Not only do they look great on your lips but they look great in your make-up bag!

Jodie

xoxo

Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation Review and Swatches

Let me start off by saying this foundation is INCREDIBLE! I can't believe how few reviews I could find on the internet about it.

I had been recommended this foundation by another blogger after saying I was still searching for my holy grail foundation, I wanted something with medium-full coverage but a dewy, luminous finish...Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation by Astalift delivers just this.

A couple of weeks ago I contacted Astalift to request some samples of their foundation to match my colour perfectly before committing to purchasing a full size. They sent me samples of the shades Sand and Caramel, I didn't even attempt the Caramel shade as Sand was way too dark for me...but I fell in love with the coverage and finish. I contacted them again and they said the only paler shade sample they had in stock was Ivory, the colour wasn't a bad match but I have quite yellow undertones in my skin so it wasn't the best match. Earlier this week I spotted that their foundation was half price so I decided to take the plunge and purchase the shade Sunny Beige and I'm pleased to say it is a perfect match!!

Light Analyzing Foundation in Sunny Beige

Sunny Beige blended

Sunny Beige is suitable for paler skin with yellow undertones, I would say this shade is very similar to my MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15. 

By applying the science of light and colour, Astalift has designed a patented foundation that leaves skin radiant in any light. It's light analyzing powder mimics the way light is absorbed and reflected. Tones within light are absorbed and reflected to create a flawless complexion that's radiant from morning to night. The technology within this foundation reflects skin coloured light to reduce shadows and the appearance of wrinkles in daylight, office lighting or harsh fluorescent lights. On top of all that this foundation contains anti-againg technology caring for skin, collagen to help retain moisture and stimulate collagen production and a powerful antioxidant called Astaxanthin which is unto 1000 times more powerful than Co Q-10 which controls sebum for amazing coverage all day long.

What ever it's got in it I think it's incredible! Anyone that reads my blog knows that I suffer from hormonal breakouts of acne so I have quite a few scars around my mouth and jawline...one layer of this foundation applied with my RT Expert Face Brush completely evens out the redness in my skin, covering any scars or blemishes and leaves a totally flawless, radiant finish...I'm in love! In this photo I am just wearing the foundation, eyeshadow, mascara and a little blush...no highlighting products required as this foundation gives you a gorgeous glow all by itself. 

If you fancy giving it a go this foundation is currently 50% off on their website, only £14.50 for 30ml.

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer in Radiant Yellow Review

I've been dying to get my hands on this primer since it came out...anything that claims to have radiance inducing properties has to be mine!

MAC Prep+Prime Radiance Primer is priced at £29 which I think is totally worth it, for a few reasons...I use MAC's Prep+Prime Skin which is priced at £20.50 for 30ml, whereas Prep+Prime Natural Radiance is a generous sized 50ml bottle. Much like the Prep+Prime Skin this has a gel-like formula that glides onto skin so just one pump will do my entire face...my 30ml bottle of Prep+Prime Skin has been going strong for around six months now...with daily use!

I went for the Radiant Yellow as I have quite alot of red on my face so I thought this would double up as a primer to counteract that issue. MAC claim that this primer is especially effective on fair skin tones as the formula disappears upon application, resulting in a beautiful glow...I couldn't have said it better myself! I use MAC'S Studio Fix Fluid Foundation which isn't a completely matte finish but wearing this primer underneath gives me a gorgeous dewy glow, like skin only healthier!

As well as aiding an easy application of your foundation and a luminous finish this primer has vitamins E and C as well as caffeine to calm skin. Prep+Prep Natural Radiance has definitely won me over from my current Prep+Prime Skin...I'm hooked!

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review and Swatches

 I adore my current foundation, the colour match is perfect and the formula gives me a healthy, matte finish but as the weather is getting warmer I have been looking for something a little more long lasting and non-transferable, my current foundation is great for around 8 hours but by the afternoon it often starts to get a little blotchy looking around my nose and mouth. After reading some great reviews I decided to purchase MAC Pro Longwear Foundation £25. The foundation claims to give up to 15 hours of wear even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin flawless and contains SPF 10.

Left Pro Longwear NC15
Right Studio Fix Fluid NC15

I purchased this foundation two weeks ago (online) and when I pulled it out of the box my first reaction was that the shade was far too warm for me. I purchased MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in the shade NC15 as this is my usual shade in the Studio Fix Fluid that I wear, in comparison to the Studio Fix it is less yellow toned and I thought it just would not be wearable but after a couple of plays around with the type of application it is actually quite a good colour match.

Left Studio Fix Fluid NC15
Right Pro Longwear NC15

 Now when I initially tried to apply the Pro Longwear I used my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, as this brush gives me flawless results when using Studio Fix but I found the Pro Longwear to initially come out of the bottle quite thick and oily and the brush was just moving the foundation around my face and not buffing it in to my skin. After reading some more reviews about how people get the best application results it seemed the general consensus was to use a damp beauty blender. I purchased the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge £5.99 and the application was so much easier!

This foundation is a sheer to medium formula, I did find it quite difficult to build up layers as before it sets to a natural matte finish it is quite an oily feeling texture but if you work in small areas quickly the results are quite flawless! What I did like about this foundation is that you have no need for concealer as you can just spot apply with a detailing brush where needed. The finish as I've said is a natural matte looking finish, like skin only better! This foundation definitely lives up to it's claims of being long-wearing, I took the photo above after roughly 8 hours of wear and it was showing no signs of budging. 

So, if you're looking for a long-wearing foundation I would definitely recommend this one after mastering my techniques for application.

Jodie

xoxo

April's Birchbox

Ok, so I'm sure most subscribers have already received their boxes and non-subscribers have definitely seen a million photos but here's what I received in my April Birchbox....

Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes

Not the most exciting thing to sample from a beauty box but definitely a refreshing, essential one! These rejuvenating wipes are packed with vitamins and yep, you guessed it...organic cucumbers! They claim to have an anti-inflammatory green tea extract in them that will improve the general health of skin and protect from free-radiacals. The sample size was a decent 10 wipes and price at only £4.99 for a full-size pack of 30 they are very purse-friendly.

Campos de Ibiza Almond Body Milk

A fast-absorbing formula with rosewater to calm sensitive skin and anti-oxidants offer long lasting hydration and protection from environmental aggressors- such as sun damage. This also was an ample sized sample, it was pleasant but body milk's aren't really my thing so I doubt I'll purchase the full size product (£16.55 for 200ml).

theBalm How 'Bout Them Apples

By far the favourite product in my box this month! When I started to see other subscribers boxes I was praying this would be in mine! I received a sample of the shade 'Pie' which is an easy to blend shade cream formula which can be used on either cheeks or lips. The full size version is priced at £26 which is a total bargain as it comes with six multi-tasking shades.

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection

Now I was a bit annoyed when I opened my box as prior to despatch Birchbox emailed me and said I could pick which shade of polish I would like in my box, I responded straight away and picked Breakfast At... which is the gorgeous green colour. I however received Heirloom Pearls which is the shimmery off-white...not really my colour! The bottles are quite cute and a decent 7ml size, the collection of 4 polishes is priced at £15.

Propercorn Sweet Coconut & Vanilla Popcorn

As a little extra sweet treat there was a bag of Propercorn coconut and vanilla popcorn, I really thought wouldn't be my thing but they are actually really tasty! Priced at 90p for a 20g bag they a purse and hips friendly!

Last but not least...Lord & Berry Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

Now I don't usually reach for a kohl eyeliner as my general day-to-day make-up look includes a winged eyeliner so I use something a lot less smudge-proof but an eyeliner is always a welcome addition to my make-up arsenal. Luckily I received the shade black, which I think most did. This eyeliner smudges very easily so would be ideal for the odd occasion when I go for the smokey-eyed look.

All-in-all not a bad box at all this month, apart from the mix-up with the nail polish shade and my box taking what seemed like forever to be despatched...I'm happy.

Jodie

xoxo

Liebster Blog Award (Part 2)

A big thanks to Ellie from Ellie's Corner and Phoebe Hope for nominations for the Liebster Blog Award.Now the Liebster Award is not just an award, but an awesome way of us bloggers with small followings (less than 300) to recognise other small time bloggers.  After you are nominated you have to post eleven facts about yourself, answer eleven questions asked by the blogger that nominated you and start the cycle all over again by nominating eleven more bloggers with under 300 followers and ask eleven new questions. So here goes with the eleven random facts about Miss Jodie Coles...

1) I hate mayonnaise. Nay, I have a morbid fear of mayonnaise!
2) I was once in the Sun newspaper as part of a sun safe campaign wearing one of those lovely caps with the flaps at the back...I was a child I might add!
3) I enjoy renovating furniture, Annie Sloan is my interior muse!
4) My favourite colour is mint green.
5) I had a kiss from Faithless (the Dj) in Ibiza.
6) I can't touch wet wool...pulling a freshly washed jumper from the washing machine is a nightmare!
7) I am one of six, I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers...of which I'm the eldest.
8) I have an obsession for blushers and lipsticks...in fact anything beauty related!
9) My favourite song is Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks...that woman is incredible!
10) My favourite animal are frogs...with their permanent smile they are the cutest animals ever!
11) Feet gross me out...I'm yet to see an attractive set of feet!

On to my questions...

1) What is your favourite foundation coverage? I would love to say light or medium but due to the fact I suffer from hormonal break-outs I wear a full coverage foundation (MAC Studio Fix Fluid).
2) What skin type do you have? I have oily skin, sucks right now but I'm told oily skin is less wrinkly in later life...I can deal with a little blotting if that's the case!
3) Favourite clothing item? Toughy...it's got to be either a breton top or a denim shirt...there are endless ways of styling them!
4) Favourite beauty item? Oooh that's another toughy...either my MAC foundation as the coverage is amazing or my Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer.
5) What made you start blogging? After reading tons of blogs about PCOS I really wanted to start one and share what works for me, if it wasn't for the girls writing those blogs then I wouldn't have found have the things that have helped me.
6) Favorite high-end brand? MAC and Bobbi Brown...never bought a product from them I didn't like.
7) Favourite drug-store brand? Not a a brand that I'm a fan of make-up wise but I do love Barry M's nail polish.
8) What is one beauty product that really let you down when you tried it? Gah, there's been a few over the years...but most recently it's got to be Rimmel's Rita Ora nail polish in White Light...the nail polish was gloomy and the brush was awful, it went straight in the bin!
9) Who do you seek advice from for your blog? Honestly, no-one. None of my friends or family blog so I just kinda go with my instincts and write what I'm passionate about.
10) How do you plan blog posts? Am I supposed to? I really don't plan any of my posts, if I buy a product that I feel I really must say something about, be it negative or positive, then I will share my thoughts.
11) What are you ambitions for your blog? Really I'm just enjoying being part of a community that is so resourceful and like-minded...I really don't plan to have 15,000 followers by the end of the year, I'm just enjoying sharing my experiences right now.

Finally, the bloggers I nominate are-

Scarlett Reeves from Scarlett Olivia
Emily from Emie's Bits and Bobs
Sandy from The Sassy Blog
Mary from Strikepose
Catherine from Whispers of Woodstock
Eff from Beauty by Eff
Sarah from Nails from Nothing
Julia from Mdame Juliaaa
Hannah from Northern life in London
The Paris Logic
Helen from Pink Polka Dot and Popcorn

And the questions I will leave for you are-

1) What inspires you?
2) What did you want to be when you grew up?
3) Night in with the family or night out with the girls?
4) You've got 5 minutes to get ready for work, what do you reach for?
5) Sweet or savoury?
6) Vacation or staycation?
7) Cats or dogs?
8) What inspired you to write your blog?
9) 3 items you could take with you to a remote island?
10) Au natural or OTT?
11) Favorite person/people and why?

Much love,

Jodie

XoXo

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Another MAC plunge I've taken this week is the Pro Longwear concealer (NC15). At the moment I am currently using Studio Fix Fluid foundation (NC15) and the Studio concealer (NC15). Whilst the foundation is almost perfect the Studio concealer, in my opinion, is rubbish! The colour is nearly a perfect match but it is a cream concealer and I find it sits in the creases of my eyes and is a bit of work to blend. So, I thought I would give the Pro Longwear concealer a go after reading so many glowing reviews.

Now, if you read my blog you would know that I live around 50 miles aways from the nearest MAC counter, I rely solely on other blogs and google images to match my colours up. I did have a chat with a MAC artist online for the colour match on this concealer and I will say it is a pretty good match.

(L) Studio NC15 (R) Pro Longwear NC15

As you can see the Studio concealer on the left appears to be more warm toned than the Pro Longwear, ironic really as all NC shades are supposed to be cool toned, but when it comes to concealers under my eyes I like something with a bit more warmth.

I really wish I could say that I love the Pro Longwear concealer, maybe we just need a bit more bonding time together. The concealer comes in a glass bottle so be weary of it rattling around in your make-up bag, it also comes with a pump which dispenses way too much of the product each time you use it, very wasteful and hard to control. The formula is fluid, which is not unpleasant but I do find I need to layer it up a little. As for the claims that it lasts for up to 15 hours...not for me it doesn't! It makes my eyes look a bit dry and crepey, I look more tired with the concealer on! 

For now I can't say I'm a fan, but maybe we will learn to love each other...

Jodie

xoxo

Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light

Sleek Face Contour Kit

For a while I have been intrigued by contouring, when you see the result it has with the likes of Kim Kardashian whats not to love? Rather than plunging into the deep end and splashing out on a really expensive palette that may only get the one use I thought I'd begin with something cheaper and simpler, this is when I found the Sleek Face Contour Kit for £6.49 in Superdrug.

On the website the contouring part of the palette looked really dark and intimidating...to someone like me who shys away from bronzer and clings on to her blushers...but it's actually a medium workable brown.

Both parts of the pallet are quite powdery, I found you have to tap quite a lot of excess even with the softest of brush, but the powder is quite finely milled and blends excellently. The highlighter is very shimmery, not at all glittery, so you don't need a great deal to highlight.

I didn't have time to experiment with the whole full face contouring so I just tried it out on my cheeks. Here I'm wearing the contouring shade beneath my cheekbones, the highlighter on my cheekbones and Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Peach on the apples of my cheeks.

I think this is an excellent value kit for beginners and I'm looking forward to having the time to sit down and do the full works!

Jodie 

xoxo

Beauty UK Baked Box Collection

Beauty UK Baked Box Collection Swatches and Review 

I absolutely love anything with a bit of subtle shimmer in it, anything that promises an illuminating glow has got to be mine! 

My go-to daily illuminator is Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade which although has some veining of blues and pinks just gives a neutral illuminating finish suitable for anywhere on the face or body. When I came across these Baked Boxes from Beauty UK for only £3.99vI just couldn't resist! I went for shade no.4 Goddess and shade no.3 Halo as I felt they would get more use as they could be applied in multiple places rather than just the cheeks.

 Now, I often find photo's on website's don't represent the true colour of the product, so on the left we have no.4 Goddess and on the right no.3 Halo, both taken in natural daylight. They have only been swatched, the boxes look a little untidy with the product escaping the packaging containing it but the box and the product itself are great quality for the price!

Below I have swatched Goddess on the left, Halo centre and Mac Mineralize Skinfinish on the right as a comparison for colour variation. 

Goddess is a gorgeous bronze shimmer which will look great with a tan in the summer, I also tried it as an eyeshadow earlier and it gives a gorgeous wash of colour. Halo has a lovely illuminating pink tone to it which will be flattering to most skin tones, this looks great on the cheekbones, under the eyebrow arch and in the corners of your eyes, this would be a great skin pick-me-up when your having one of those days! Just as a comparison of colour and finish, Mac Mineralize on the right.

I think these Baked Boxes are great quality and an excellent high-end dupe! For the price give them a go, they are sold in Boots and Superdrug and they often have 3 for 2 or similar offers!

Jodie 

xoxo

Spring colour pop!

 

Spring colour pop trend

With February over and us seeing in a (hopefully) warmer and dryer March (ok, I'm being far too optimistic!) I am being drawn away from all of those nudes and vampy reds I have been wearing over the last few months of Autumn and Winter and towards the gorgeous pastels and popping brights out there. My main obsession this month has been bright pinks, oranges and orange reds...here are some of my favorite buys (and there have been many, to my bank balance's dismay!) of February...

Topshop lipstick in Innocent £8

This is a really easy to wear pink, I have been wearing this alot in the daytime since I purchased it 2 weeks ago. I would say they are correct in their description of "a velvet finish lipstick to smooth and moisturize lips" as its a creamy, non-drying formula that you can really build the colour in a couple of slicks.




Bourjois Rouge Edition lipstick in 09 Orange Pop-up £7.99

I was really excited to purchase this lipstick as I have a real thing for orange and orange red lipsticks, I swatched it on my hand and the colour was a nice bright orange, however, on my lips it comes out more pink! It's still a very nice colour, just not as bright orange as I was hoping it would be. I didn't find it had the glossy finish it claimed to had, it definitely is more matte, but definitely not drying.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Audacious £7.99

This is going to get alot of wear from me! I already have all of Revlon's ColorBurst Balm Stain's (as well as most other lip crayons from various other brands!) and the colour is always vivid and true to the description. This new matte version is no different, it has a lovely velvet matte texture and the colour is a fab bright orange!


 
Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in In Love With Ginger £6.49

Another colour that is going to get alot of wear from me! This is the first lipstick I have purchased from Rimmel since I was a teenager and I really feel like I have been missing out! This is a gorgeous, bright orange red. It's very moisturizing and the colour is very vivid with just one slick! I usually prefer matte lipsticks so I did end up blotting off the shine...this will be a staple part of my make-up bag over the next few months!

Ciate polish in Red Hot Chilli £9

I adore this orange red shade! It goes perfectly with the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick...I had been wearing it for 3 days when I took this photo, still glossy and no chips...another winner for me from Ciate!

So despite the weather being dreary outside, my make-up bag is certainly lifting my spirits and I now can't wait until I have a tan to sport with my new favorites!

Jodie 

xoxo

How much is my face worth?

How much is my face worth? Tag

Ok so after being tagged in Cloe Anne's blog on "How much is my face worth" I was excited but now shocked to list the basic products I use on my day-to-day look. So here goes...

Premae Balance Rescue Face Wash £22.50

Premae Balance Rescue Face Tonique £19.50

Premae Harmony Multi-Vit Serum £22.50

Premae Harmony Creme Balm £35

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream £35

Mac Prep+Prime Skin £20.50

Mac Studio Fix Foundation NC15 £21.50

Bobbi Brown Corrector Light Bisque £18.50

Bobbi Brown Concealer Ivory £18.50

E.L.F HD Powder Corrective Yellow £6.95

HD Brows Eyebrow Palette £19.96

Maybelline Brow Drama Medium Brown £4.99

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade £22

Illamasque Eyeliner Cake £15.50

Illamasque Sealing Gel £7

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara £22

Bobbi Brown Blusher £19

Mac Fix-It Spray £14.50

I've not included eye primer, eyeshadows or lipsticks/balms/gloss as these will vary day-to-day...I've also not included the Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener £19.50 that I keep in my bag for touch-up's! So this gives us a grand total of...

£341.40

I am horrified at how much my daily routine costs...and just how many products I use! I have definitely earned my stripes as a skincare and make-up junkie! 

But I may add that I am secretly smug that I can shower, have breakfast, do the above make-up routine and my hair all in an hour before work in the morning...not bad going!

Looking forward to seeing your totals!

Jodie 

xox

Xen-Tan Transform Luxe Gradual Tanner Review

So I thought I'd share with you my first ever experience with Xen-Tan Gradual Tanner in Light/Medium. Now I am a fake tan virgin, I do however use a gradual tanner all year round which is Dove's purse-friendly Summer Glow. Whilst the scent of Dove's Summer Glow isn't the best, just the usual biscuity mushroom smell that you get with all the others, it does give a lovely, even and subtle glow. Back to my experience with Xen-Tan...

I was really excited to try Xen-Tan, before purchasing I had read many glowing reviews from people that were dedicated to this brand for excellent salon quality results. I probably wouldn't have purchased it at it's full retail of £39.95 but as it was in the ASOS sale for £18.50 I thought this was a reasonable price as the gift set included an exfoliator and tanning mitt.

 The products came in very luxurious and informative gold and cream boxes enclosed in a transparent re-usable cosmetic bag. The gradual tanner and exfoliator themselves were very generous sized 236ml bottles with the gradual tanner having a screw top and the exfoliator having a nice and easy flip top.

So that evening I showered, shaved and exfoliated in preparation for applying the gradual tanner. Just touching on the exfoliator, it was a very refreshing and non-abrasive scrub...some scrubs can leave my skin feeling dry and taught but this didn't. Straight after my shower I slathered on E45 cream...I do this every night regardless of applying my usual gradual tanner or not. Now onto my experience with the tanner itself...

Firstly, the scent is delicious! Its got a fresh vanilla scent to it which only slightly changed to that biscuity fake tan smell around 3 hours later and even then it wasn't as over-powering as some other brands I have tried. The lotion itself made my skin feel moisturised and was easy to apply. Now the set came with a tanner mitt...as this is labelled as a daily gradual tan I threw caution to the wind and applied it with my hands...big mistake! Although the rest of my body tanned evenly and streak free the colour was anything but a subtle light/medium. I love the colour, it was a deep olive, I have an olive tone to my skin anyway so the tanner only enhanced this. Although I had washed my hands thoroughly after applying to my body and rubbed a small amount to the backs of my hands using my wrists and the back of the opposite hand to rub in I ended up with a disaster on my hands that I don't usually get!

As you can see from this photo the colour difference is so dramatic! I love the colour it's very natural but I know now why it came with a tanning mitt and will definitely be using it on my next application! My disappointment of this not being as easy to use as my usual drug-store brand gradual tanner has been overshadowed by the luxurious colour and feel of Xen-Tan.

I may be converted....

Jodie
xoxo